121 posts
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Post by theatregeek on Dec 2, 2019 11:45:56 GMT
There are things that I could criticise about this production but I won't as it brought tears to my eyes and made me feel like a child again. Pure theatrical magic is right. The big production numbers are excellent and the ending terrific. I thought that Zizi Strallen was the perfect Poppins too! I could agree that this is a five star cast in a four star production but for me it was a magical night that'll stay with me for a while... So... A big five from me! I was there on Saturday night and totally agree with you on this. I smiled from start to finish and just drank the whole thing in. Such a joyous production. Yes, there are a couple of things I would maybe shorten, but it's a fantastic production. Such a hard working cast. I say 5 stars too! |
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Post by danb on Dec 10, 2019 21:05:56 GMT
Just watching the cast on the RVP and wondering if Charlie Stemp has any actual bones in his body? He is a dancing machine!
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Post by isabel on Dec 10, 2019 21:22:38 GMT
I enjoyed their performance on RVP
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Post by ABr on Dec 11, 2019 8:04:57 GMT
For those interested  |
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Post by Paul on Dec 11, 2019 9:21:08 GMT
I saw this last week and still can't believe how little Petula Clark is actually in the show.
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Post by Stephen on Dec 11, 2019 15:25:53 GMT
Charlie Stemp's 'Here We Go!' at 11.23 in the RVP Video is priceless.
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Post by danb on Dec 11, 2019 15:32:37 GMT
Charlie Stemp's 'Here We Go!' at 11.23 in the RVP Video is priceless. He’s certainly living it isn’t he? 😂 |
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 11, 2019 16:15:12 GMT
WOW - Petula has got HUGELY better since first preview hasn't she!
Also, Charlie's HERE WE GO is INCREDIBLE
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Post by sfsusan on Dec 11, 2019 19:06:00 GMT
I saw this last week and still can't believe how little Petula Clark is actually in the show. I had this on my schedule this fall and frankly couldn't imagine why I'd bought tickets. Then when the birdseed lady came out and I recognized Petula Clark, I went, "Oh, that's why I bought tickets!!" I think originally they were promoting it as "Mary Poppins starring Petula Clark"... not hardly! But I did enjoy the show, especially the dance numbers and the technicolor transformation of the park, and Mary's final flight. |
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Post by theatreian on Dec 20, 2019 14:23:23 GMT
Does anyone know of any offers on this yet? Hoping to go in February.
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 20, 2019 14:30:04 GMT
Does anyone know of any offers on this yet? Hoping to go in February. Weekly lotto is probably your best bet - most people seem to be winning it because its not hugely well advertised I think |
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Post by Mark on Dec 20, 2019 15:18:32 GMT
I easily got tickets for the lottery. £25 front row
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Post by dippy on Dec 20, 2019 17:34:31 GMT
I easily got tickets for the lottery. £25 front row I got tickets easily too but sadly not front row, that's good to hear, will have to try again! |
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Post by theatreian on Dec 20, 2019 23:31:16 GMT
Thanks will try for the lottery.
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Post by ptwest on Dec 21, 2019 23:02:36 GMT
Just out of tonight’s show - this has always been a solid gold 5 star show for me but something was missing tonight. Came away having enjoyed it but not dancing on air like I have every other time. Might work out what by the morning!!!
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Post by zsazsa on Dec 21, 2019 23:43:33 GMT
Saw this tonight and trying to compare this with the original production that I saw.
Am I right in thinking that in the original Mary flew up higher in the final flight? I seem to remember Laura Michele Kelly going right up to the ceiling?
I enjoyed this production but it did seem to be the touring version with a few extra special effects thrown in.
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Post by dippy on Dec 22, 2019 0:09:24 GMT
Am I right in thinking that in the original Mary flew up higher in the final flight? I seem to remember Laura Michele Kelly going right up to the ceiling? Oh good, it's not just me thinking that. It seemed a bit pathetic her just landing in the upper circle (or whatever it's called) and going through a door. I'm sure it was more complicated before, I feel she flew higher then back on herself and had to climb through a hole or something like that. |
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Post by ptwest on Dec 22, 2019 6:49:44 GMT
Yes, she definitely flew right up to the ceiling originally. I think this covers part of the reason what I was a little dissatisfied with the show last night, I’ve seen this production many times on tour and have loved it. But there is no doubt that due to the mechanisms needed to create some of the Illusions / entrances / exits from the original, the touring equivalents are just not as good. I could accept that on tour but given that this show is now back in its original London home and hopefully for a long run, I hoped for better. It’s hard for me to be specific without giving away spoilers but it felt a little cheap. Add to that a couple of missed cues ( Mrs Brill opened the door , closed it again and then burst in looking surprised at one point, and the big reveal at the end of Brinstone and Treacle was spoilt by the child half opening the door then waiting) , it just didn’t feel as slick. Performance wise, the children were great as were the actresses playing Mrs Banks and Mrs Corry. Nothing wrong with any of the others but it felt a bit underpowered, as if going through the motions a bit when it came to the dialogue.
This sounds very negative; but despite all this we had a lovely night. Once the dialogue stopped and the music started, all doubts disappeared. The song and dance sequences were as wonderful as ever, particularly highlights being Step In Tine, and Anything Can Happen, other than what I have outlined above, the staging is beautiful and it’s still a show I would highly recommend. It’s just that it isn’t quite as good as the original and that the previous tour cast were stronger.
So overall a very solid 4 stars from me which in any other night would be great but on this occasion. felt like a comedown from previous visits
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Post by andrew on Dec 22, 2019 22:56:59 GMT
I never saw the original production, but keep reading about this fantastic set... I even searched YouTube for some 'behind the scenes' videos that might shed some light on what it looked like, but nothing really showed you what was going on. Particularly intrigued to hear how Mary could fly up to the ceiling, did they build something into it for the original production?
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Post by dippy on Dec 23, 2019 0:42:05 GMT
This may be of some interest, explains the old house a bit marypoppinsphs.weebly.com/uploads/9/1/9/4/9194658/mary_poppins_sightline.pdf and here's a link to some images which includes the original house www.rbbm.photos/mary-poppins the images are from towards the end of the run. As to where she flew to I've seen Mary Poppins in a few different theatres (Bristol, Prince Edward, Birmingham, Curve) so it's a bit tricky to remember exactly which was which. I've been trying to find photos online of the auditorium taken from the very back of the highest level but can't find anything that useful useful. However if you have a look you'll see that at the front of both circles there are columns? that go up the walls of the theatre, they then have an arch that is lower than the ceiling that goes across the top. I have this vague feeling that there was a door/hole in this arch that she stepped into. I may be wrong but I don't think she went into the ceiling. If anyone is every just looking for some interesting info about Mary Poppins I remember watching these videos and finding them very interesting, here's the link to part 1 but the others are usually easily found, most likely the next video to play would be part 2 (Part 7 mentions the two different houses but they talk more about the current version). It's a shame they didn't make the videos over here but for Broadway, which was also the problem I have with the making of book, I do have a copy of it but wished it had more about the UK production and less about Broadway. |
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Post by Stephen on Dec 23, 2019 0:56:03 GMT
When I saw the new production at the Prince Edward a month ago I couldn't see her stop flying and she appeared to go pretty high from where I was sitting (Dress Circle slips) the blackout happened before I could see her step onto a ledge or similar. The effect was spectacular!
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Post by xanady on Dec 23, 2019 22:48:42 GMT
^In the Dress Circle slips this afternoon and Zizi flies up towards you and up onto a ledge above you.Very impressive flying in a show packed with clever magic tricks.It’s a blink and you’ll miss something kind of show.
The DC slips are a bargain at roughly £40.Already re-booked same seats for late February.Big shout out to the very friendly FOH staff.Such a privilege to see the iconic Petula Clark in the flesh.
A wonderful show.Feels like money has been thrown at it.
This is a beautiful theatre.One of my favourites to visit.
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Post by latefortheoverture on Dec 24, 2019 1:37:57 GMT
Has anyone got a picture of the view from the dress circle slips everyone is raving about? SeatPlan don't seem to list them!!
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781 posts
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Post by latefortheoverture on Dec 24, 2019 1:38:08 GMT
Has anyone got a picture of the view from the dress circle slips everyone is raving about? SeatPlan don't seem to list them!!
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Post by Stephen on Dec 24, 2019 7:41:12 GMT
Check my Instagram for a view from the DC slips... Steve_hamilton_ In my opinion a great view and bargain for this show. Only slight issues are that your feet don't touch the ground (take a bag to rest them on) and they're very nearly too high up for my fear of heights. This is just me though... Most would likely argue that they aren't very high. |
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